What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
callow
Example
He was just a callow teenager when he started his first job. [callow: adjective]
Example
The callow actor struggled to portray the complex emotions of the character. [callow: adjective]
naive
Example
She was naive to believe everything she read on the internet. [naive: adjective]
Example
His naive approach to business led to many mistakes and losses. [naive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Naive is more commonly used than callow in everyday language. Naive is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe a lack of knowledge or understanding. Callow is less common and is typically used to describe young people or a lack of experience in a specific area.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between callow and naive?
Both callow and naive are generally considered formal words. However, naive can also be used in informal contexts to describe someone who lacks knowledge or understanding.
